Father Henry McFadden’s is best told from those who knew him and this is taken from the Memoriam written by his friends in the rectory. “In all his
priesthood Father McFadden served in only seven parishes, but his ministry was
widely expanded during the Second World War when he served three years as a
chaplain. He was with General Patten when he entered Berlin and he ordered the
the first Mass in that re-occupied city. The six Battle Stars and the Bronze Star
attest not only to his heroism under fire but also to his ministry as a Catholic
priest, for that is the foremost expectation of soldiers from a chaplain, but to be
Christ in a place where humanity is suffering its cruelest torments, and to give
some hope that humanity to survive.”
“The longest Father McFadden served in any parish was his eight-year stay
in Alexandria Bay. In addition, he served four-year pastorates in Evans Mills and
Colton and a five-year assignment in Canton. Wherever and whenever the Bishop
decided he was needed, he willingly went. The variety of his ministry and his self-
effacement make him an example for today when so many love the display of
service. There was little display in his life – simply doing a job quietly that needed
to be done.”
Father McFadden served Post 904 as our Chaplain. His leadership, guidance
and service are also celebrated by the post as a member who did what needed to
be done. Father McFadden’s banner is sponsored by Father Doug Comstock and
Jim Mercer.
